Sponsor (Oct-Dec 1962)

WASHINGTON WEEK What's happening in U.S. Government that affects sponsors, i npTnoro 100 / «_ "" agencies, stations 1 OCTOBER 1962/ c*w-ight ib«2 E. William Henry, almost unknown in Washington, ran into no opposition whatever to his appointment as an FCC commissioner: His Senate subcommittee confirmation hearing was perfunctory. It took less than half an hour, despite the importance of the job he will be expected to assume. He was expected to take his seat on the FCC today, 1 October. Henry had obviously been advised not to rock any boats, the less said the better. He had no prepared statement for his hearings, answered questions as briefly as possible, and sometimes permitted his questioners to answer for themselves — as they frequently did. Nevertheless, Henry managed to create a strong impression. It was very much in the Minow mould — that of a young and ambitious man who does not believe that the best regulation is the least regulation. Only two Senators showed up to question Henry, Strom Thurmond (D., S.C.) and Ralph Yarborough (D., Tex.). Subcommittee counsel Nick Zapple, probably for this reason, engaged in the rare act of questioning on his own. Lack of Republican probing may have prevented the drawing of a clear picture of Henry as a member of the FCC. Most of the questioning expressed worry lest Henry fail to be tough enough on the pet peeves of the questioners. It might have been possible to achieve a more rounded picture, if there had been questioning from the angle of whether Henry might regulate too strictly. Even failing this balanced questioning, and also taking into account the fact that impressions at such hearings can be deceptive, it still seemed quite likely that Henry will resemble Minow not only in youth, ambition, and perhaps even in headline speeches, but also in regulatory zeal. Although few questions were asked, it seemed that Henry threatened often to consider station performance, commercialization or overcommercialization, sex and violence, etc., at license renewal time. He also conceded he knows little about the fields he will have to regulate, but it was obvious that he has been studying. And that his mentors have been from the Newton Minow-Kenneth Cox ranks, rather than from among those who oppose that viewpoint. In brief, it seems rather definite that Minow has gained a vote. This, in turn, makes necessary another look at the rollcall of votes. Minow has complained that he often lacks the votes to carry his ideas within the FCC. It would seem this will be true only seldom after Henry begins voting. While commissioners in the past have defied labelling — current commissioners who will often keep you in doubt until the voting is actually over are Ford and Lee — Henry appears to share many of Minow's ideas. Add Bartley on most votes, and you can count on either Ford or Lee to back Minow most of the time. This would mean that Minow will probably win 4-3 on matters he has been losing by that count and even by 5-2. Of course Bartley is himself often unpredictable, so along with the difficulty of placing Ford and Lee definitely in advance on any question and the still potent possibility that Henry may surprise, anything at this stage must involve considerable speculation. However, at the minimum Minow's hand has been strengthened. Depending on how much the Henry vote will strengthen Minow, it may be possible at last to learn how Minow will actually go if he can command the necessary majority. 0NS0R/1 OCTOBER 1962 55 I9i"